Around Town

In New Brunswick (and the surrounding area), there are many opportunities to relax, have fun, and get out of the house/office. There are a variety of ways to enjoy the diverse offerings of New Jersey of all types: cultural, recreational, gastronomical, natural, musical, and more. I’ll list just a few of my personal favorites, in no particular order and with no attempt to fairly represent all of the possible local attractions and activities.

The State Theater is especially good for students because Rutgers-affiliated discounts make many of the shows accessible for a good price (and not just in the very back row either). I have enjoyed music and dance performances here, as well as a few comedy routines and at least one musical. There are many different types of acts coming to the State Theater at any given time, so it’s worth checking their schedule periodically for your interests. The theater district of New Brunswick also offers the Cabaret Theatre, the George Street Playhouse, and the Crossroads Theatre Company.

New Brunswick has had a vibrant local music scene for decades, including many pioneering and influential bands. Although recently closed for a few months, the Court Tavern has reopened recently and continues to provide a venue for local musicians. Nearby places to eat, including Hansel ‘n’ Griddle and Destination Dogs, serve up food suitable for before the show (or between bands).

New Brunswick has many bars, pubs, and other venues in that spectrum of eating & drinking, but only Harvest Moon offers beer brewed right on-site, along with its classic fare of dinner options. The vegetarian chili is a hidden gem on the menu, which includes many options that are easy to enjoy. Be sure to try one of their many varieties of beer (they won’t sell you anybody else’s!), and if you like it, take some home in a growler.

There are many other similar restaurants in New Brunswick, including Tumulty’s and The George Street Ale House, both of which offer good beer and nice pub food. Tumulty’s is a nice alternative for a more laid-back and traditional pub experience, and GSAH has a wide selection of beer as well as a more pricey menu of “gastro-pub” fare.

I enjoy spending time with friends bowling. Knocking things over is fun (sometimes). In addition to the enjoyment of time spent with friends, bowling is an activity easy to enjoy even for beginners, but it’s not boring or highly competitive (unless you have really intense friends). You’ll be renting shoes, most likely, so be sure to wear socks! Another nearby bowling alley is the Brunswick Zone.

The Edison Diner

New Jersey is known for its diners, often open late (or 24-7) and offering a variety of classic meals, snacks, and beverages. I am a somewhat regular customer at the Edison diner. For those days when there’s no time to cook or it’s too late to do otherwise, this diner is open 24-7 and even has free wifi. Outside peak hours, the diner is sometimes (but not always) calm and relaxed and can be a nice place to get some peace and quiet some days.

A mention should go to another favorite diner of mine, The Skylark Diner. This diner is a bit further away and is not open 24-7, but it offers a more creative/non-traditional menu and a fair selection of alcoholic beverages. (It is thus a bit more loud and crowded, and the prices are a bit higher.)

Image source: [c] You can visit the Edison Diner’s website by clicking this link, but please beware, it is a flash-only website that makes a substantial amount of noise: The Edison Diner.

It may be freezing out and dark at 5pm during winter, but even in winter it’s nice to spend time in one of the many parks in the area. Donaldson Park in the boro of Highland Park offers many facilities, including walking paths, basketball courts, exercise stations (pull ups, monkey bars, etc.), dog pens, and more. The park is prone to flooding, which we have experienced a few times in recent history, but it is generally scenic and enjoyable. Nearby Johnson Park has similar facilities as well as a sanctuary for abandoned animals rescued by the county.

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Author: Kellen Myers

I am a Mathematics graduate student at Rutgers University. I am a Ph.D. candidate, which means at this point, my work is towards writing my dissertation. My advisor is Doron Zeilberger.
My research interests are in combinatorics. A few specific interests are within Ramsey Theory, especially Ramsey Theory on the integers. This means I have an interest in both Ramsey Theory (on the whole), and on the theory of arithmetic structure in the integers.
I would characterize my interest in mathematics, in general, as very broad. I enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of certain types of mathematics, and appreciate collaboration between mathematicians with diverse interests.
I also take special interest in developing my skills as an educator and as a member of the academic community and workplace. I was the graduate coordinator for the DIMACS REU 2010-2013, and I participate in many other projects and endeavors to develop my skills as a teacher, a mentor, and an administrator.
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